House to Consider Medical Marijuana Reform Bill and Could Vote to Approve This Week in Pennsylvania; Philadelphia Decriminalizes Marijuana Possession

byAlex Averin

Medical Marijuana Reform News Update in the State of Pennsylvania:

Tom Wolf, Governor of Pa., may have an opportunity to sign medical marijuana legislation into law very soon in the state of Pennsylvania. Right now in the United States, there are 23 states that have passed legislation that makes medicinal marijuana accessible in some form to specific patients, and 4 states currently permit adults 21 years of age or older access to marijuana for recreational uses. Pennsylvania may soon pass medical marijuana reform legislation and become the 24th state in the U.S. to create a medical marijuana program.

House set to Vote on Bill that Would All0w Medical Marijuana in the State of Pa.:

The Pennsylvania Senate Passed Medical Bill SB 3 and if it passes through the House this week, Governor Tom Wolfe has reported that he will sign it into law. SB 3 will work to create a medical cannabis program in the state and according to co-sponsors Sen. Mike Folmer (R-Lebanon) and Sen. Daylin Leach (D-Montgomery), the bill represents a balance between what advocates want while addressing critic concerns. Folmer and Daylin believe that the bill creates a foundation for a medical cannabis program that will garner support in the House. It is expected that the House in Pa. will review and take action on this bill this week. Many will focus on the House this week in Pa. to see if support pushes the bill ahead, or if additional amendments are proposed and it is back to the drawing board.

It should be noted that the House rules committee already passed the bill by a 28-8 vote. Supporters hope this is a positive sign leading up to the House vote on SB 3.

Related Marijuana Reform News in the State of Pa.:

In related Pa. marijuana reform news, Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter recently signed an ordinance stating that marijuana should be decriminalized within city limits. According to the ordinance, criminal penalties are removed for the possession of up to an ounce of marijuana. A civil fine, similar to a traffic ticket, will replace the criminal penalties in Philadelphia.